Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2010
Manual hyperinflation is associated with a low rate of adverse events when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable critically ill patients--a prospective observational study.
Manual hyperinflation (MH) can be performed as part of airway management in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients to mobilize airway secretions. Although previous studies demonstrated MH to be associated with hemodynamic and respiratory instability, we hypothesized MH to cause fewer adverse events (AEs) when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable critically ill patients. ⋯ The rate of hemodynamic and respiratory AEs with MH is low when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable, critically ill patients. MH, however, may induce or increase anxiety/agitation. We consider MH a safe maneuver in stable ICU patients in our setting.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2010
Case ReportsAcute subdural intracranial hematoma after combined spinal-epidural analgesia in labor.
Intracranial subdural hematoma is a rare, but well-described complication of epidural and spinal anesthesia, as documented by more than a decade of publications. Non-postural headache and vomiting are warning signs. A headache lasting more than 5 days should arouse suspicion of intracranial hemorrhage, whether or not it is associated with the appearance of neurological signs or the deterioration of neurological status. ⋯ We report the case of a patient who suffered from severe neurological deterioration and manifested signs of brain herniation due to the development of an acute intracranial subdural hematoma after CSE analgesia for labor. An emergency craniotomy was performed to remove the subdural hematoma and the patient recovered well. Close observation of patients undergoing CSE analgesia or anesthesia complaining of prolonged non-postural headaches, with or without neurological symptoms, is recommended.